Only one complete set (11) of early paintings is thought to exist and it belongs to the Nenang Pawo Labrang of the Karma Kagyu Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This set was exhibited at Tibet House, New Delhi, in 1965. In total there are approximately 23 paintings known that follow the Palpung composition.

The depictions of the Eighty-four Mahasiddha of the Abhayadatta System are based on the documented descriptions of Jonang Taranata (1575-1635) as commissioned and painted as murals in the Puntsogling Monastery, Tibet (Text title: grubs thob brgya bcu rtsa bzhi'i 'bri tshul bzhugs so).

The unique iconographic feature of this set is the placement, at the top of the composition, two deities and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas along with the Eight Wrathful Ones of the directions (each with one face and two arms).